Jenifer Lewis

Jenifer Jeanette Lewis born January 25 1957 is an American film and television actress and singer She is one of Hollywoods most familiar faces with more than 300 appearances in film and television and was dubbed a national treasure by TV Guidecom She began her career appearing in Broadway musicals and worked as a backup singer for Bette Midler before appearing in the films Beaches and Sister Act She delivered legendary performances as Tina Turners mother in Whats Love Got to Do With It and in The Preachers Wife as the mother of Whitney Houstons character She starred opposite Matt Damon in Clint Eastwoods Hereafter For director Tyler Perry she created unforgettable characters in Madeas Family Reunion and Meet the Browns In the movie Cast Away she portrayed Tom Hanks boss In animated films Jenifers uniquely recognizable voice is adored by Disney fans worldwide in roles such as Flo in Cars and Cars 2 and as Mama Odie in The Princess and the Frog For six seasons Jenifer portrayed Lana Hawkins on Lifetimes hit series Strong Medicine She starred on the hit show Blackish ABC where her hilarious portrayal of Ruby Johnson earned her a nomination for the 2016 Critics Choice Award She has also written two books The Mother of Black Hollywood and Walking in My Joy In These Streets